Jasper National Park

Trip Start May 29, 2009
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Trip End Oct 03, 2009


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Where I stayed
Whistler's Campground
(Jasper hotels)

Flag of Canada  , Alberta,
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

It is another chilly, rainy day. We got a late start since generator hours in the campground start at 8 am, and Jim was not about to leave without a cup of coffee.  We started at Mount Edith Cavell, named after a Canadian nurse / war hero from World War I.  We took the Trail to the Glaciers, a 1.6 km (about a one mile) loop.  The trail goes to the terminus of Cavell Glacier, where it melts into Cavell Pond.  The pond is full of small icebergs from the glacier.  Above this glacier is Angel Glacier.  We could barely see it in the fog and clouds.  Behind and above Cavell Glacier is Ghost Glacier, but it was completely hidden by the clouds.

We then traveled to Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.   After all of the beautiful mountain lakes, these were somewhat of a disappointment.  Maligne is quite popular and has boat tours.  Perhaps we would have appreciated these lakes more on a day with sunshine.  Medicine Lake is interesting because it disappears in the winter Cavell Glacier
Cavell Glacier
 .  It is drained through rock fissures into an underground river.  In the summer, there is sufficient water to overcome the drainage and form a lake.

On the way back from these lakes, we hiked part of Maligne Canyon.  This very deep canyon is quite scenic with a trail along its length and seven bridges to provide great viewpoints.

We finally got into Jasper Townsite.  It is quite a bit smaller than Banff.  We stopped to see Jasper House National Historic Site, now being used as the Visitor Center.  On the way to Patricia and Pyramid Lakes, we were surprised by a small herd of elk grazing by the road.

We got back to the motor home around 4:30.  It felt good to finally be out of the rain and cold.  Tomorrow we travel to Edmonton, Alberta.
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